An old tintype found ~ I love the fierce look and the plaid dress (click to view larger). And a couple friday photo links (I must have France on the brain):
Today I was reading Nicole's post about John Burroughs and studying nature near home. I sighed a little thinking: how true, if only I didn't live in the city. Then at lunch I went for a walk and spied the wisteria vines clinging to the walls of the museum and realized how much joy I take in observing them through the seasons ~ the little buds in the spring and heady purple flowers that follow, the rich green leaves in the summer, and the curling vines that cast dramatic shadows in the fall and winter. Indeed, there is something wonderful to be found near home. 
I have said it before, but I love Flickr! It is wonderful being able to share more images with you there than I can here on the blog ~ especially of the house tours. So over the next month or two, I will try to go through old files and upload images from past tours. A trip down memory lane!
There are some houses that just leave you a little breathless. Monitcello is one of those. And yesterday was a glorious day to visit ~ clear, crisp, and autumnal! After a refreshing hike up to the house (we skipped the shuttle bus), we wandered in the gardens and marveled over Jefferson's magnificent "sea view." The house itself is extraordinary ~ full of delightful details that invite one to linger, and send one running afterwards to consult Susan Stein's The Worlds of Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. I was thrilled to be treated to a private tour of the Dome Room, which is generally not open to the public (for a bit more history on it, see here) ~ perfect in its proportions, white trim, green floor, and yellow walls. While photography is not allowed in the house, there is an excellent room-by-room tour available online (thanks to Mr. R for the link!).
This is one of a group of photographs I found recently, from The New York Times fashion department (Paris bureau). The caption on the back reads: "Scarf collar used by J. Suzanne Talbot on popular length jacket in beige broadcloth lined in mixed tweed of the skirt."
I love opening my mailbox and finding goodies! Last night ~ the newest issue of the National Trust magazine and my October card society package. Both gorgeous! Plus, there is a great article on the rise of the farm stand in the UK. The bottom photograph was meant for yesterday's post (which never happened), but it pairs perfectly with last night's bounty. Also enjoying:
And the little bits of color in the city ~ rare, but there.
Good morning all! A couple of you emailed yesterday about the Virginia Winery Guide. We picked ours up at one of the vineyards, but you can use the online version, or order one here. It really is a super resource.
The main ingredients in getting one's rhythm back ~ a day in the country and a glass (or two) of wine! Yesterday's glorious weather and the promise of colorful foliage lured some of us city folk out to the Shenandoah. Armed with a picnic of smoked cheese, turkey breast, rosemary-olive bread, a bag of Cheetos, and the 2008 Virginia Winery Guide, we descended on Piedmont Vineyards and Vintage Ridge (the latter of which sent us over the moon with their fantastic wine and food pairings!). It is the time of year when Virginia is at her best ~ sunlight streams through the yellow leaves, heat and humidity gives way to clear, crisp air, and the farm stands are full of apples, pears, and tart cider. When you live in the city the seasons seem to have less immediacy, so a day like this is like a gift from nature. We hated to give it up, waiting until the sun cast long, cool shadows over the landscape before we finally piled back in the car, and back to the city. (For more of our outing, see here).
A bit of an unexpected absence. Just so much going on, including a quick trip to New York, where there were lots of lovely things ~ a new baby to coo over, Morandi at the Met (along with some fabulous British prints...the exhibition catalogue for which is gorgeous), and an atumnal walk in Central Park. The fall season serves up so many goodies, and I have lots to share this week. But first, I hope I can ease back into a more balanced rhythm...and find a little focus.
From the Victoria & Albert ~ apples ~ by Charles Jones. The names are wonderful: Cox's Pomona, Lord Derby, Cellini Pippin, Lemon Pippin, King of the Pippins, Mere de Menage, Peasgood's Nonsuch, Sandringham, Worcester Pearmain. For more by Jones, see here and here.
The soup is delicious! And really very easy to make. Too good not to share:
What a delight to be home for a weekend. Nesting ~ painting, cooking, stitching, and watching those long afternoon shadows. I delved into a new cookbook, which I picked up in London ~ Skye Gyngell's A Year in My Kitchen. Fabulous recipes and some seriously stunning photography (by Jason Lowe). The recipes are organized by season, which I love ~ making it easy to take advantage of local produce at market. Her cauliflower gorgonzola soup is on the menu for this evening, and I have already ordered her latest book: My Favourite Ingredients. Gyngell is the chef at Petersham Nurseries, which does indeed look like the perfect destination for "serious foodies" (!!).
The one thing I don't like about London is leaving. It truly is one of my favorite cities ~ I always feel so at home there. This photograph was the last one from the trip ~ taken very early in the morning, looking out my window at the towers of the Natural History Museum just as the sun rose. Sigh. On a brighter note, here my the usual list of favorites:
Just a short train ride from London is Osterley Park, an Elizabethan house turned neo-Classical masterpiece. It has some of the most complete (and truly magnificent!) Robert Adam interiors I have ever seen. Because the house was used so infrequently over the years ~ and then primarily as a place to entertain ~ it has retained much of its Adam interior decoration. The 18th-century pleasure grounds are still accessible, and dotted with delightful follies. See more here.
Oh London...so full of taspestry and embroidery. A feast for the eye...this vignette is from Hampton Court Palace. Some of my favorite places for threads:
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